Talent vs. Skill

Years ago my wife surprised me by sending me to Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. I’ve played keyboards since I was four years old and this was an opportunity to jam with people with whom I had grown up listening. I got to perform with Roger Daltrey from The Who, met and played with members of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, The Eagles, Yes, The Cars, and many other professional performers. It was incredible. The experience provided an opportunity for me to witness the concept of talent vs. skill.

I have the fortunate ability to hear a song, then sit down and play it without sheet music. I can also tell the note being played without looking, which is known as perfect pitch. Some would call this talent. The musicians at rock camp were professionals. They play for a living and do it everyday. While I’m sure most of these people have talent, the difference between my abilities and theirs is skill. By playing everyday and immersing themselves in music, they have developed skill. That skill has brought them to a place of musical proficiency well beyond mine.

Would you prefer to have talent or skill in a given area? Talent is natural ability. It’s something with which you are born. Skills are developed over time. Assume you are an artist and could wave a wand to pick talent or skill at your chosen craft. Which would it be? If you have the discipline to build your skill, perhaps talent would be a better choice. If you begin with talent and build your skill from that base, you could attain a higher level of proficiency. Following this logic, it would make sense to identify your talent then build the skill on the foundation of the talent.

People typically enjoy doing things that incorporate their talent. Under this assumption, those activities represent a passion. As you follow your passion, your purpose becomes clearer. When you monetize your passion, your livelihood and purpose are aligned. You now get paid for doing what you love.

Relying on talent. The challenge comes when people rely on talent and fail to develop the skill. Talented people often struggle because they don’t have to work as hard to achieve proficiency. They rely on their talent and fail to fully develop their skill. I know a lawyer who is a gifted orator. He gets in front of a judge with little preparation and “wings it.” He’s so gifted that it usually works out well, but every so often his lack of preparation comes back to haunt him.

Talent vs. skill in the workplace. Whether you are taking on a new role yourself or interviewing candidates for an open position in your organization, understand that most jobs can be learned. Given the option, most employers would take a hard worker that’s willing to learn over a person with only talent and no true drive to improve. Think of the expertise you have in your industry. Did you ever think you would develop the knowledge you have? Keep this in mind if you are taking on a new role or hiring someone to work in your organization

While it’s great to have talent, realize that it can only get you so far. When you combine talent with hard work and focus your efforts on development, you create a skill. Identify three areas of your life where you possess talent. If you could choose one area to develop, which would it be? What’s stopping you from moving forward? Send me your thoughts [email protected].